Page 11 of The Last Wish (Lost Legacy #1)

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

GIDEON

F uck rain.

It's still gross outside, so instead of climbing a mountain, I’m stuck inside running on the treadmill like a hamster on a wheel. The spinning belt is a cheap substitute for what I really need, but I’m hoping a good workout will make me feel more settled. I have the machine set to simulate running in the mountains.

The difficulty changes every few minutes, but it’s not really working for me. Sheena’s nightmares, the mate secret, the traffickers, the cell phone—it’s all starting to get to me.

Sheena walks into the gym wearing sweatpants and a black sports bra. The pace and incline on my treadmill kicks up a notch at the same time she bends down to stretch, and I literally miss a step. She looks so good I stumble, almost falling off the back of the belt.

Sheena pretends not to notice. With a small wave and a poorly disguised smirk, she climbs on the elliptical... Something I’m pretty sure she hasn’t done since she’s been here.

What’s she playing at?

Determined not to drool, I push harder, trying and failing not to watch her workout. There’s just one problem. Her new phone is resting in the little cubby on the machine, taunting me, reminding me of her refusal to accept it as a gift.

Why won’t she let me make her life easier?

Seeing her hand over a huge chunk of the money she scraped together to survive makes me mad as hell. I know Cal didn't like it either, but he didn't fight her on it. Still, something about it makes me feel unsettled.

If she doesn’t need me, how can I convince her to stick around?

I want to slap myself for thinking like a caveman. Now that I’m getting to know her, I can’t imagine rejecting the mate bond. She’s important to me, but she could leave. I could lose her, and the very idea makes me sick.

My strength as an omni-shifter has always been a selling point for me in the dating pool, but Sheena doesn’t care about that. If anything, my position in the enclave and the supernatural world is a red flag after her experiences on the run.

I’m starting from behind, and I don’t like it. Somehow, I’ve got to get her to fall for me without all the bullshit... The problem is I don’t have the first idea how.

After about ten minutes, Sheena steps off the elliptical, sweat glistening on her face and lower back. I watch as she clumsily rolls a clean set of boxing wraps around her hands. She stops and starts over a few times, glancing down at her phone repeatedly. What is she doing? Then it hits me. She’s watching a video tutorial on how to wrap her knuckles.

Fuck. Why didn't she ask me?

I want to help, but this is the perfect opportunity for me to show her I’m not a lunatic. I can resist breathing down her neck. I can. I keep my running pace steady as she slides her hands into the gloves. When she struggles to fasten the left one with the right one already on, I swear I don't even think about jumping off the treadmill to help. Sheena approaches the heavy bag and throws a punch. Her stance is all wrong.

I can't take it any longer. She could hurt herself with form like that. Before I even decide to move, I’m launching myself across the room.

“Let me help. Please.” I cringe at my strangled demand.

When she turns around, the triumphant grin on her face stuns me.

“I’m amazed that you held out so long,” Sheena says. “I would love to have your help, Gideon.” She glances back at the treadmill belt, which is still spinning like a top. “If you're finished with your run, of course.”

A suspicion creeps into my mind.

“You did it on purpose.” I narrow my eyes at her as I walk over to switch the treadmill off. “All that fumbling with the wraps. The shitty ass punch. You were baiting me all along.”

Her devious grin flips to a frown.

“My punch wasn’t shitty. I don't need your help,” she huffs, fire blazing in her eyes. Her temper is so damn hot that I don’t really care anymore if she came down here to goad me. Nope, I just want to see more of it.

So I throw down a challenge.

“If you don’t need my help, you’re going to have to prove it, baby.” I crowd her space, my chest just inches from hers. “Make me back up.”

She stiffens at first, then gives me a tense nod, her nose in the air. Still, when I step closer and bump our chests together, she takes half a step back. Her first instinct is to run. While that really pisses her off, it isn’t actually a bad move.

“That’s okay, retreat can be strategic,” I tell her, letting her keep the space she took back. “If your opponent is bigger than you, you’ll need to be that much smarter and faster.”

I correct her stance, and she listens carefully, making adjustments and moving to stay out of my reach. I circle her for a while, letting her get used to moving her feet and maintaining the distance.

“That’s good. I’m going to come at you a little harder now. Watch for an opening, and when you see it, don’t hold back.”

I show her the motions a few times, shadowboxing in the space between us. She copies the movements, concentrating intensely the entire time. When I leave an obvious hole in my guard, she throws a quick jab, but she doesn't put much force behind it. The hit glances weakly off my upper arm and leaves her exposed.

“What was that? If I was napping, that hit wouldn’t even wake me up.”

“I don't want to hurt you,” she hisses, eyes flashing when I chuckle in response. She thinks I’m mocking her. Before I can explain, an idea pops into my head. It’s fucking brilliant.

“If you think you’re so tough, let's make a deal,” I say. Her foot taps, but I can see she’s interested now. “I’ll let you pay us back for the phone... if you can actually hurt me.”

Sheena brings her fists back up, determination lining every inch of her body.

“I’ll take your deal, but you need to remember I’m a grown woman. You don’t let me do a damn thing, and I don't want a sugar daddy. You can’t just get mad and storm off every time you don’t get your way.”

There it is.

She’s mad at me for leaving during the tussle over the phone last night. I knew things were off between us, but I thought she was pissed that I wanted to pay, not because I stormed out. I’m just relieved that the gloves are coming off now. Metaphorically speaking, at least. It also gives me a chance to get what I want.

I thump my gloves together and bounce on the balls of my feet.

“You’re right, I wanted to buy you that phone. I stormed off because you wouldn’t let me. Now, make me pay, baby.” I growl the words. She shivers at the sound. Yeah, she likes that, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.

“The only thing you’re going to pay for is your macho bullshit.”

She circles me then, determination fueling her as she searches for an opening. When she lashes out, she's fast, but she telegraphs her intentions. I easily dodge.

“Okay, that was good, but you showed me where you were going to attack with your eyes.”

She nods, doubling down with an intensity that makes me burn for her. I want her to look at me with that single-minded focus.

She’s clearly been paying attention. It doesn’t take long before I actually have to concentrate to defend against her hits. Unfortunately for her, she’s running out of steam, unused to the energy needed for extended sparring.

“Pretend this is an actual fight,” I suggest. “The longer it goes on, the worse your odds get. Remember, being able to defend yourself could save your life.”

She takes my advice to heart, charging at me with a flurry of flying fists. I'm not expecting it, and a couple of the blows get past my guard.

When her body collides with mine at full force, I’m so much bigger that she bounces right off. I experience the whole thing in slow motion, reaching for her as she falls and twisting to let my body take the brunt of the impact. We hit the mat hard, and I grunt when she lands on top of me.

“Did it hurt?” Sheena asks.

I open my eyes to see her earnest, hopeful expression staring down at me from where she's perched on my chest. Just like that, I’m a goner. No power on Earth or in any of the realms could convince me to disappoint her right now.

Godsdammit, I never stood a chance.

“It hurt so fucking bad.” I groan and clutch my ribs. Sheena seems both suspicious and pleased, but she doesn’t call me out for my bad acting. “That was a hell of a hit, but if you're fighting someone who really wants to hurt you, try not to end up on the ground where they can get their hands on you.”

I illustrate my point by dragging my hands up the back of her thighs and cupping her ass. She blushes bright red, but makes no move to get up.

“But I won,” she whispers.

“Yeah, baby, you did.” I watch a drop of sweat slowly trickle down her neck. It slides over the curve of one breast and vanishes into her sports bra. I want to chase it with my tongue.

She’s so perfect.

Suddenly, I’m desperate to make her believe that. Tugging off her boxing gloves, I kiss her wrapped knuckles. Her cheeks turn pink, and she squirms against my obvious erection. It’s digging into her stomach now. There’s no way she can’t feel it.

“You won't say anything else about the phone?”

“What phone?” I twist my face in confusion, and I'm rewarded with her giggle. Lifting my head, I rest my face against her chest. She sucks in a breath.

“What are you doing?”

“I lost and I’m hurt. I need comfort,” I murmur the words into her cleavage, shifting my face until I feel one of her nipples pebble against my nose.

“I'm all sweaty,” she protests, but doesn’t push me away.

“I know.” I lick the swell of one breast and hum at the taste. “You're delicious.”

Sheena lets out a small gasp. When she pushes her chest more firmly into my face, I don’t feel like I lost anymore. Slipping my thumbs under the edges of her sports bra, I lift my head to look into her eyes.

“Please?”

The animal inside me doesn’t want to beg, but I’m in charge right now, dammit, and nothing is more important than Sheena’s comfort.

After a brief pause, she nods. As I peel her bra off, I never once look away from her green eyes. Only once I’ve tossed the damp fabric to the side do I look my fill. I can't stop the rumble in my chest. Her breasts are full and still heaving slightly from exertion, tipped with perfect, rosy pink nipples. I’ll never get tired of looking at her.

“You're everything,” I manage, nearly choking on the gravel in my throat.

Rolling her on the mat, I brace my weight on one hand, lifting the other to tease her right breast. I run my blunt nails all around her sensitive skin, careful to touch everywhere but her nipple. Sweat long forgotten, I watch as she slowly goes wild beneath me, skin pebbling, chest heaving, back arching as she tries to get my fingers where she wants them.

Emotion hits me like a truck.

Seeing her trust me with her body like this... Gods, I’ve never been given anything I wanted more. In this moment, I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do to make her feel good.

I roll her tight nipple between my fingers. After minutes of my gentle touches, the rough movement makes her whine. The sound feeds my fucking soul, but I want more, so I play with her until she's thrashing around on the floor. When I replace my hand with my mouth, she gives me more delicious noises.

It’s not enough.

Sliding my newly freed hand down her body, I pause at the waistband of her sweatpants, wondering if I'm pushing her too far, too fast.

“Gideon, touch me, please,” she begs.

Thank fuck.

Determined to never make her wait for anything, I slide my hand into her pants. The only thing underneath the worn fabric is a soaking wet woman. I thank every god I can remember for this moment. The pleasure I feel just touching her is so intense, I’m actually terrified I’ll come in my pants with absolutely no stimulation at all.

I rein myself in and explore her gently, letting her get used to my touch. Stroke by stroke, I add to her tension, building it layer by layer until finally, I slide my index finger inside her at the same I rub a firm circle over her clit.

That's all it takes.

She wails, back arching as her inner muscles spasm around my finger. So gorgeous, so sexy. An army of men couldn't stop me from kissing her right now. Our mouths move together perfectly as she rides out the aftershocks. When I’m finally able to drag my lips away from hers, she's staring at me in wonder.

“Your eyes, they're golden.” She cradles my face in one small hand.

“I'm sorry if it scared you.” I blink a few times, leaning into her touch. “My shifter really liked that sound you made,” I explain, feeling sheepish about my lack of control.

“Don't be sorry. You don't have to hide from me.”

My heart swells in my chest, and I kiss her again desperately. If I don't, I know I'm going to crack and beg her to tell me everything.

When she reaches shyly inside my athletic shorts and wraps her tiny fingers around me, I know I can't possibly last long.

After barely a minute of her careful strokes, I shoot off like a rocket in my pants, groaning and collapsing on top of her. When I try to lift my weight, she holds me in place with a strength that surprises me.

“I don’t want to crush you, baby.”

“Just a little longer.” She sounds hesitant but happy, so I collapse into the cuddle, burying my face in her neck. My entire body feels relaxed like the tension I’ve been carrying for months is gone. There’s no point denying it anymore. I’m in this now, and I don't care how long it takes her to catch up.

She’s mine.

SHEENA

The hot spray of the shower pounds down on me. I stand as still as a statue, but my mind makes up for my lack of physical movement by replaying what happened in the gym on repeat. A helpful exercise for absolutely no one.

Okay, this is fine, Sheena. Everything is fine.

So what if Gideon taught me some self-defense moves, then put on some sort of clinic in nipple play? He’s a talented guy, and I’m glad I got to experience his skills firsthand. Right? I can have an orgasm and also play it cool. Casual even. We're just two buddies who clung to each other like the planets aligned when we touched.

It didn’t feel casual.

I run the soapy loofah over my body, feeling a latent tingle as I wash my breasts. My brain might be working overtime, but my body feels languid and content. The throb in my chest is gone. Instead, my heart is humming like the connection is pleased that we helped each other come. I scoff and turn the water off.

Of course, the mystical voodoo thread in my chest is a shameless hussy.

I’m not sure why I’m making such a big deal out of this. It was hot, and I wouldn't mind a repeat performance. I’m a modern woman, goddammit. Why can’t I get off without freaking out?

Towel drying my hair, I slip into a comfy matching set of sweats, which mysteriously appeared in my closet the other day along with several other outfits. Something else to add to my tab. Or it would be if Gideon would stop pretending to have no idea where the clothes came from.

A grin spreads across my face. I sprawl in the chair by my window and grab my phone. Maybe a second opinion will help.

Ciprian… oh my god… something just happened

Wait. Stop. Which one?

Gideon

K. Plz continue

He was teaching me to box. Then we weren’t boxing anymore.

Nice. How big was it?

…I didn’t see. Just felt… but it seems to be in proportion to the rest of him

Of course it is

We didn’t even take our pants off and it’s the hottest thing that’s ever happened to me

Good for Gideon. Didn’t know he had it in him.

I can’t believe I’m telling you all this

That’s what besties do. You just don’t know because of you know… being fucking kidnapped.

Title of your sex tape: when the caged girl cums

A startled laugh bubbles out of my mouth, and the sound momentarily stuns me. It's the only time I've ever felt an ounce of humor in connection to my abduction. But I still ignore Ciprian's next two texts and let him sweat for the audacity of that comment.

I'm about to type a response and put him out of his misery when an incoming call pops up. I swipe to answer, letting out a plaintive sniffle instead of saying hello.

“Okay, I took it too far,” he says. “I won't joke about it anymore.”

He sounds remorseful, and even though we barely know each other, I can actually picture his face scrunching up. I let the silence stretch on.

“Shit, Sheena, I’m really sorry. I won't make any more comments about your abduction or your sexcapades.”

“It’s fine,” I say. “Just letting you sweat.” He lets out an outraged squawk. I laugh out loud.

“Just for that, I hope they are both absolute duds in bed.”

“Well, from what I’ve experienced so far, I think you're out of luck there.” I can't help the smug tone of my voice.

“Don't be crass,” he scolds.

“Me, crass? Have you talked to yourself?” I laugh again, enjoying the banter.

“I’m just trying to desensitize you, babe. It’s a rough world out there.” Ciprian is teasing, but there’s an element of truth to it. Maybe having a friend like him will be good for me.

“So, did he finger you or eat you out?”

Never mind, this friendship is an actual nightmare.

“I thought you didn't want details,” I sputter.

“You're right. Gideon isn’t my brother, but it's still too close for comfort. How do you feel now... like emotionally?” He asks this question like it's somehow dirtier than the first.

I roll my eyes even though he can't see me.

“I don't know. It’s weird. My head is spinning, but my body is completely relaxed. Even the throbbing in my chest has stopped. Now it's just like this gentle hum?—”

“What the fuck? Stop.” Ciprian interrupts me mid-thought, his voice so loud in my ear that I flinch. “Are you fated mates? Did Gideon bite you?”

I stare at the phone, confused both by his questions and his frantic tone.

“Why would he bite me?” I stand up, feeling nervous all of a sudden. “Ciprian, what do you mean? Mates?”

The pause on the other end of the line makes my skin crawl. My heart is pounding. I have no idea what he's talking about, but my gut says it’s important.

“Has Gideon mentioned the throbbing or humming?” Ciprian ignores my questions and asks another of his own. His voice is cautious, but it has an undercurrent of excitement now. It’s obvious that he’s holding himself back, and I don’t fucking like it.

We may be getting along great, but we only just met. Even though I need answers, I can’t forget where his loyalty ultimately lies. I look at my closed door, wondering if Callum and Gideon can hear me talking.

I think back on our earlier conversations and lower my voice just in case. “Gideon didn’t say anything about how it feels, just that he felt a connection with me when we met. Do you know what that means?” I ask, trying to dial back the frenetic energy buzzing inside my chest. I get no response.

“Ciprian,” I shout. Then I check the connection. The call is still going. I’m about to yell at him again when he sighs down the line.

“I’m a dead man. Those shady bastards are going to skin me alive.”

“Wait. Why would they be mad? What’s the big deal?”

I start to pace, keeping to the far side of the room, away from the door. My cool is long gone now, adrenaline surging through my veins as my fight or flight instincts kick into overdrive.

“I can only speculate,” Ciprian says. “And before you ask, no, I’m not going to do that with this. I will tell you that some bonds in our world are incredibly rare.” He pauses, then I hear him sigh again. “Sheena. You need to talk to Gideon about this. He’s the only one who can answer your questions. Call me if you need me.”

I barely absorb the last bit over the roaring in my head. Absently, I hear myself say something noncommittal before disconnecting the call.

My content feeling from earlier is gone. Both my body and mind are on high alert now. I missed something monumental because I didn’t know the right questions to ask. That ends now.

I walk down the stairs, forcing myself not to run. They lied to me, and I’m scared, but I don’t know why I feel so betrayed. I only met them a week ago. So why does my heart feel like it's cracking into pieces? I rub my chest to ease the sudden return of the ache.

When I step into the kitchen, I find them both prepping dinner. Gideon looks up and gives me such a sweet smile I have to remind myself he’s been keeping something from me. Something so huge it even shocked Ciprian. Gideon’s smile fades as he processes whatever look is on my face.

“Sheena, is everything?—”

“What’s a fated mate?” I cut him off, my voice sharp.

Both of them look shocked by the question, so I know I'm on the right track. My heart sinks, beating violently in my chest.

“Where did you hear that?” Callum asks, looking suspicious.

“I’m asking the questions this time,” I snap. “Gideon, why has my chest been throbbing since we met?”

He steps toward me then, arms outstretched. I retreat, and his eyes fill with hurt and something that looks a lot like panic.

“It's complicated.” Callum tries again. “Remember how I told you Gideon thought you two had a special connection?”

I hold my hand up to stop him.

“I need Gideon to answer my questions.” I pin Callum with my stare. “I want Gideon to give me honesty. Can Gideon not speak for himself?”

Callum takes a step back and Gideon looks lost, his arms still partially reaching out to me. I lock eyes with him, waiting out the tense silence with my arms crossed over my chest. When he stays silent, I double down.

“I will walk out that door and never look back if you don’t explain this to me right now. No one gets to control me again.” My voice breaks, but I can’t stop. “Half-truths aren't good enough. Not when this bullshit world of yours has the power to destroy me.”

Tears are rolling down my face now, but I ignore them. What he says next will determine if I ever cry over him again. Gideon takes another step toward me.

“Sheena, I swear I never lied.” Gideon’s voice is husky and raw. I can hear the fear in his words. “I was scared. Didn't want to scare you off.” He runs his fingers through his curls, the strands still messy and tangled from my fingers earlier.

“Fuck.” His shout startles me, and I take an involuntary step back. Gideon tracks my movement, his face crumpling. “Baby, I'm not good at explaining. I wish I could tell you how I really feel.”

The words are my worst nightmare come to life.

No. God, no. Please. But it's too late. I feel the moment my powers activate. It's like I'm both in my body and outside of it. Energy shoots out of every pore in an explosion that I have no control over. One second, Gideon and Callum are staring at me with shock and horror. The next, my hair floats, my eyes burn, and words pour out of Gideon like he’s possessed.

“Sheena, you are my fated mate. It's an old, traditional term for a rare magical bond. It can never encompass how I feel about you, but in simple words, it means you are the being who completes my soul. The perfect complement to everything I am. In this vast universe with creatures of all kinds, we were designed to be each other's shelter and peace. You’re my perfect partner.”

I’m frozen in mid-air, terror consuming my thoughts while magic pours out of my body. Gideon's eyes well up with tears, but his voice is robotic. Though I’m compelling him to say these things, I’m as powerless as him. Against my will, against his... A careless wish has stripped us both of consent and damned us at the same time.

“You’re upset, and I understand that, but I couldn’t risk telling you the truth and driving you away.” Gideon steps up to me then, his brow furrowed like he’s fighting the control of my magic. “When we first met, you ran from me, didn’t give me a chance. You didn't know what was going on then. You were understandably afraid, but I've lived in terror ever since... Knowing that I could be forced to watch you leave me again.”

I can barely make sense of his words. All I know is he hid this from me, omitting information in order to keep me here. He may not have locked the doors, but he chose not to be completely honest. A fated mate bond, a magical tether controlling me...

Oh god, did he touch me earlier as another way to tie me to him?

Gideon brushes the tears from my cheeks. My body wants to flinch away from his touch, but I can’t move. He’s still under the compulsion of his own wish, but he’s also clearly reading something in my expression because he drops his hand and steps back. His gold, glowing eyes beg me to understand even as he gives me space.

“You’re not a hostage, Sheena. You could leave me behind at any time. The bond still hurts because it isn’t sealed yet. You can believe what you want about me, but I would never do that without your consent. Yes, you're my fated mate—a rare gift from the gods—but you don't have to accept the bond. You have the power to reject me.”

My tears are dripping down my face now, each one falling faster than the last. Gideon stares at them as they collect in a puddle on the kitchen tile.

“I’ve never been good with words, baby. I act first, think later, and you were looking for a reason to leave. If I had told you at the start, you wouldn’t have given us a chance. Is it so wrong that I wanted to buy some time to give you a reason to stay?”

Gideon sags slightly, like he's finally exhausted all the words in his arsenal. His wish has come true, I certainly understand now.

His secret is out... and so is mine.

As the compulsion ends, Gideon blinks a few times and then looks in stunned silence from me to Callum.

My feet slam back to the floor. I stumble as the power rushing from my body cuts off abruptly. Without it, I’m weak and vulnerable. I know what happens next. Violent trembling starts in my hands and slowly spreads up my arms until my entire body shakes like a leaf. I’ll lose consciousness soon. Already my thoughts are blurry. This time I won’t get away.

No pity. Trust no one. Keep it moving. In my stupidity, I thought I'd outgrown my rules. I'm paying for it now. I beg my feet to move, but it's as though I’m stuck in quicksand, sinking deeper by the second.

Then the room tilts and everything goes dark.